Free things to do during winter break

CHUCK KIRMAN/THE STAR Cole Wenger (left) and Benjamin Preudhomme look at a sea star at the Channel Islands National Park visitor center in Ventura. Students on a field trip from Rio del Mar School toured educational areas, walked through the outdoor garden, listened to lectures, watched a film and visited the observation deck.(Photo: Chuck Kirman)

When credit cards, patience and tolerance for holiday carols are maxed out, the next winter-break quandary sets in: How do you fill those nebulous days between Christmas and New Year’s? Especially if you have restless relatives or out-of-school kids in tow who need entertaining.

Until daily scheduling realities return after the new year, we’ve gathered a list from A to Z of free things to do around Ventura County during the coming holiday winter break.

Art City Studios

You might have seen a bumper sticker that reads The “earth” without “art” is just “eh.” We are not about “eh” in Ventura County, home to numerous art galleries/spaces/studios worth a visit. Art City Studios in northern Ventura, off Highway 33 north of Main Street, is an artistic enclave that rocks. Run by sculptor Paul Lindhard, it showcases the creative work of 20 professional sculptors and artists who transform stone and other media into objects of imagination. The inventory is original; the artists are friendly; and any bored “eh” will turn into an “ooh” or “aah.” 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sundays, 197 Dubbers St., Ventura. 648-1690 or www.artcitystudios.com

Borchard Park Labyrinth

A labyrinth, far from a maze meant to taunt your sense of direction, is a meditative tool. Instead of losing yourself, find inner holiday peace with a circular walk through curving paths to the maze’s center. The 60-foot-diameter Borchard Park Labyrinth in Newbury Park is modeled after the French Chartres labyrinth. Following all the twists and turns to the center and back out — pondering, reflecting and contemplating along the way — results in a half-mile walk. 190 Reino Road, Newbury Park. 381-2791 or http://bit.ly/2yjDQ0X

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An ocean exhibit is displayed in the Channel Islands National Park visitor center at Ventura Harbor.(Photo: Anthony Plascencia/The Star)

Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center

Go to the Channel Islands without actually going there (although that’s a great to-do item, too), at the visitor’s center in Ventura Harbor, featuring interactive exhibits about marine life and the islands, a bookstore, and a 25-minute documentary about the park called “A Treasure in the Sea.” The center’s lesser-known highlight is its observation tower, which offers breathtaking views of the ocean and, on a clear day, the Channel Islands. Bonus: The small sculptures of a dolphin and seal outside the center will keep any toddler amused. 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; closed Dec. 25. 1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura. 658-5730 or www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm

Downtown Ventura Antique Stores

We’re fudging a little on the “free” here because “stores” suggests “buy.” But vintage shops are also great places to browse, and downtown Ventura is known for its sometimes dusty but quirky stores filled with tangible nostalgia, from valuable heirlooms to kitschy collectibles. Or consider a variation on a scavenger hunt by making a list of eclectic items for people in your party to find (but not necessarily purchase) at antique stores. Possibilities: typewriter, tea set, rotary phone, California road sign, church cookbook. A few stores to consider: American Vintage, 384 E. Main St., 643-7676; Times Remembered, 467 E. Main St., 643-3137; and Ventura Antique Market, 457 E. Thompson Blvd., 653-0239.

Engines

Steam engines, that is. The “Full Steam Ahead!” exhibit at the California Oil Museum in Santa Paula, on display through Feb. 25, highlights the history of the Southern Pacific Railway from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles, featuring railroad memorabilia and stories from people who rode the rails. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, 1001 E. Main St., Santa Paula. Free admission, but a $4 donation is suggested. 933-0076 or www.caoilmuseum.org

Fillmore

Yes, the entire small town of Fillmore, only 3.4 square miles in size, gets its own listing. Fillmore is proof that California harbors old-fashioned quaintness. Take one of the roads off Highway 126 to enjoy the agricultural scenery. Or head downtown in the vicinity of Main Street and walk around to visit antique shops; Central Park; City Hall; or the Fillmore Historical Museum, which features an 1887 Southern Pacific Depot, a 1905 Craftsman-style Home and a 1919 bunkhouse. http://heritagevalley.net/fillmore

STAR FILE PHOTO Climbing roses cover the archways in the English perennial and rose gardens at Gardens of the World in Thousand Oaks.

Gardens of the World

Gardens of the World, on busy Thousand Oaks Boulevard, is an oasis any time of year, even in winter when less flora are flowering. You really can go on a garden tour around the globe here, visiting a Japanese garden with a koi pond and serene pagoda, a French garden with a waterfall, an Italian garden with a grape arbor and cypress trees, and an English perennial garden. Picnic tables are available. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays (closing at noon Dec. 24 and Dec. 31), 2001 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. 557-1135 or www.gardensoftheworld.info

Help

Do something — anything — to make Ventura County a better, safer, kinder place. Visit a lonely neighbor. Pick up litter. Host a lemonade stand and share the profits with fire victims. Feed someone. Donate blood. Volunteer. A good place to begin a search for opportunities to help is www.volunteerventuracounty.org.

Indian Creek Trail

The Indian Creek Trail is one of many hiking opportunities in the Conejo Valley’s 1,765-acre Wildwood Park. The wild and woody area features 14 trails covering 17 miles, with views along ridgelines and meanderings by streams, waterfalls and caves. You might see turtles, ducks, frogs, squirrels and rabbits along the Indian Creek Trail. 928 W. Avenida de los Arboles. Trail maps and information: http://cosf.org/trails/wildwood/

Janss Marketplace.(Photo: STAR FILE PHOTO)

Janss Marketplace Kids Fun Zone

(We’ve doubled up here, combining “J” and “K.”) The ongoing Kids Fun Zone at the outdoor mall, from noon to 3 p.m. the last Saturday of each month, doesn’t go on holiday hiatus in December. Kids can get in their zone, not surprisingly, near the entrance to Toys R Us. Activities include crafts, fitness games and instruction, martial arts demonstrations, prizes and more. Noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 30, Moorpark Road and Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. www.janssmarketplace.net

A couple of children and their parents play at Libbey Park with the Ojai Arcade and the mountains in the background. Ojai officials are in the early talks to replace the playground equipment at Libbey Park.(Photo: Juan Carlo)

Libbey Park

For restless kids, and parents who need rest, Libbey Park in downtown Ojai offers an extensive children’s playground for the former and tranquil trees and views of the mountains for the latter. Combine a trip to the park with a bike ride on the trail behind the park, or a sojourn into downtown for shopping or dining. 210 S. Signal St., Ojai.

Munch

Music + Lunch = Munch. The Museum of Ventura County offers free admission and live music (but you have to bring your own lunch) from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursdays. Currently on exhibit is “Lost Empires: The Conquest of the Americas,” which tells the story of the Mayan civilization via George Stuart’s historical figures. 100 E. Main St., Ventura. 653-0323 or www.venturamuseum.org

Night Sky

Stargazing can be spoiled by city lights, but Ventura County, less populated than some areas of SoCal, boasts some outdoor noir spots that offer a glimpse of starry skies (barring smoke from fires). Potential star-watching spots include all of Ojai, which a few years ago passed a dark-skies ordinance to limit light pollution; and the Sandstone Peak Trailhead in the Santa Monica Mountains near the Circle X Ranch (www.nps.gov/samo). Or simply head to your backyard, most likely with a blanket.

Oxnard Beach Park

Ventura’s beaches get most of the tourist attention in the 805, but Oxnard, although a little more off the beaten beach path, boasts its own scenic shores. Oxnard Beach Park, between Oxnard Shores and the Embassy Suites Mandalay Bay, is a seaside gem that rarely gets crowded, especially during the winter months. The park features grassy areas surrounded by a biking/skating/jogging path. Across the bike path are wild sand dunes and access to a white sandy beach and the ocean. 1601 S. Harbor Blvd., Oxnard. visitoxnard.com/listing/oxnard-beach-park/

Poetry Open Mic Night

Spill your inner musings to the world, or open your ears to the spillage of others, during Poetry Open Mic Night at the E.P. Foster Library in Ventura. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 28, 651 E. Main St., Ventura. 648-2716

Quiet

Shh. Hush. Don’t do anything. Be alone. Close the door. Take a deep breath. Close your eyes. Aah …

Red’s Barbecue & Grillery Free Kids’ Meals

On Thursdays from 11 a.m. until closing, kids eat free here, when the restaurant offers two free meals (from the children’s menu) per every adult meal ordered. Other eateries around the county provide family freebies as well, but the famed garlic rolls and watermelon lemonade at Red’s make this restaurant an especially enticing choice. 3090 Cochran St., Simi Valley. 581-9076 or www.redsbbqsimi.com

'Super 8'

With the Academy Awards around the corner, theaters are bursting with fine films, but movie tickets aren’t cheap. Catch a free screening of the 2011 flick “Super 8,” which didn’t earn an Oscar but did win a Scream Award for Best Science Fiction Movie, from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 2 at the Newbury Park Branch of the Thousand Oaks Library, 2331 Borchard Road, Newbury Park. In the film, directed by J.J. Abrams and produced by Steven Spielberg, a group of teens witnesses a train crash in their small Ohio town while shooting a movie using super 8 film. The cast includes Elle Fanning, Kyle Chandler and Joel Courtney. 498-2139 or www.tolibrary.org

Katya Volpi heads out on a recent hike in Triunfo Canyon in Westlake Village.(Photo: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Underwood Family Farms

Fresh produce and furry faces are an irresistible combination. While stocking up on farm food at Underwood’s Somis location, mingle with alpaca, sheep, chickens and pygmy goats (which like to climb things and are especially entertaining). It’s free to visit, and picnic tables are available. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, 5696 E. Los Angeles Ave., Somis. 386-4660 or www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com

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Visitors walk the Ventura Pier. The pier and Ventura's beaches attract tourists, especially in the warm summer months.(Photo: DAVID YAMAMOTO/SPECIAL TO THE STAR)

Ventura Pier

When was the last time you walked out on the Ventura Pier? Built in 1872, this elegant senior-citizen structure has been restored and stands proud despite weather-related batterings over the years. The historic wooden pier offers views of the Channel Islands and mountains, fishing opportunities, food for sale, and pure seaside charm. Sunset is a picturesque time to walk the wooden planks, but any time of day will do. Extend your walk to the Ventura Promenade. Harbor Boulevard east of California Street.

Woolworth Museum

The restored Woolworth Building in downtown Oxnard, with its distinctive sign that looks like a long red bow wrapped around the structure, is a retail space that also houses the Woolworth Museum, featuring memorabilia from former Woolworth’s stores around the country. Items inside include an antique phone booth, vending machines, books, photos and vintage fixtures. 210 W. Fourth St., Oxnard. www.thewoolworthbuilding.com

Xavier Montes Mural

The colorful mural outside Chino’s Market in Santa Paula by artist-educator-activist-musician Xavier “Big X” Montes, created in conjunction with local youths, is a beautiful visual tribute to his hometown. The mural celebrates education, depicting a Santa Paula High School student, the Blanchard Library, books, a pyramid, mountains and more. 147 S. 12th St., Santa Paula. 525-6792